HR Policies & Trends
India’s job market likely to grow 4.4% in second half of 2025-26, up from 2.8% in first half: TeamLease Services
India anticipates a 4.4% net job growth in the latter half of 2025-26. Large companies are leading this hiring surge. E-commerce, tech startups, logistics, and retail sectors show strong expansion. Employers prioritize value hiring, focusing on productivity and essential skills like communication and critical thinking. This indicates a shift towards skill-driven recruitment for future workforce needs.
AI disruption reshaping jobs in India's USD 245 bn technology, CX sectors: NITI Aayog
Artificial intelligence is poised to disrupt India's tech and CX sectors, potentially displacing routine roles. However, Niti Aayog's roadmap highlights an opportunity to create up to 4 million new AI-first jobs in the next five years. A National AI Talent Mission is proposed to foster AI literacy, reskill professionals, and attract global talent, positioning India as an AI workforce capital.
Nearly 75% of Indian professionals hesitant to take mental health leave: Survey
A recent Naukri survey of 19,650 professionals across 80 industries found that nearly three in four Indians are reluctant to disclose mental health reasons when taking time off. About 45% would mark it as general sick leave, 28% are comfortable being explicit, 19% avoid leave, and 9% give another reason.
Mentorship, career growth, flexibility crucial anchors of mental health for Gen Z professionals: Survey
A new survey by Indeed finds half of Indian employees genuinely love their jobs, with younger workers linking mental health to job satisfaction, while older generations prioritise stability and financial security. Over 30% quit jobs for mental health reasons, yet only a third of companies offer support. Flexible, remote work and holistic well-being initiatives are key to improving workforce mental health across generations.
India Inc to give 9% salary increment in 2026: Aon Study
Indian companies are projected to offer an average salary hike of 9% in 2026, a slight increase from the 8.9% actual raise in 2025. Despite global economic slowdown and geopolitical challenges, India's economy remains resilient, with sectors like real estate and NBFCs leading talent investment. Attrition rates have also seen a decline.
Salaries in India projected to go up by 9% in 2026, says Aon study
Salaries in India are projected to rise 9% in 2026, slightly up from 8.9% in 2025, according to Aon’s Annual Salary Increase and Turnover Survey 2025-26. Real estate, infrastructure, and NBFCs are expected to lead salary growth, while attrition rates have declined to 17.1%, indicating improved employee retention. Strong domestic consumption, investments, and policy reforms support continued wage growth and talent stability.
Tier II, III cities outshine metros with 21% hiring surge in September: Report
Smaller Indian cities are leading the nation's job growth. Tier II and III locations saw a significant 21 per cent hiring increase in September. This surge outpaced major metro areas. E-commerce, retail, and tourism fueled this expansion. Overall hiring activity remained robust, indicating steady job creation beyond seasonal demand. This trend highlights a decentralised and resilient employment landscape across India.
Gen Z’s rage in India & its neighbours is stoked by a staggering jobs crisis
Youth-led protests across Asia, including India, reveal a severe jobs crisis for Gen-Z. Shrinking opportunities, AI advancements, and automation are creating a bleak economic future, with millions more entering the workforce soon. High youth unemployment in major economies risks turning the demographic dividend into unrest.
Startups go full stack on hiring, eye 170k boost in headcount
Indian startups are defying global uncertainty with a significant hiring surge, projecting 170,000 new jobs this fiscal, a sharp increase from last year. This growth is primarily driven by tech roles like AI/ML, data science, and cloud engineering. Companies such as InMobi, MobiKwik, and Deel are actively recruiting for specialised talent, addressing a shortage of skilled professionals.
White-collar hiring in India grows 10% in September, led by non-IT sectors
India's white-collar job market closed Q2 FY26 positively. Hiring in September rose 10% year-on-year. Non-IT industries contributed most to fresh hiring. Insurance and real estate recruitment jumped. Fresher hiring increased 15%. Unicorns powered 30% growth. High-paying roles saw demand across levels. Tech-related roles, including AI/ML, surged significantly.
Must Watch
India Inc goes the extra mile to share caregivers’ load
Corporate India is increasingly supporting its large caregiver workforce, with 79% of employees juggling personal and professional duties. Companies are rolling out policies like paid caregivers' leave, flexible work options and comprehensive support services. This shift addresses talent retention and fosters inclusive workplaces, moving caregiver support from a niche benefit to a mainstream expectation.
TCS confirms onboarding for 650 delayed lateral hires
Tata Consultancy Services confirms honoring all offers for 650 lateral hires. Their onboarding was delayed for three months. The company started issuing onboarding emails. Some candidates will join in October. Onboarding depends on successful background verification. This step strengthens TCS's workforce. It addresses rising demand for IT services. The confirmation reassures candidates and stakeholders.
Formal job creation under ESIC down by 9.6% to 2.03 million in July
As per the provisional data released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Friday, the new employees up to the age of 25 added to ESIC in July stood at 0.98 million, which is 9.6% lower than July 2024, when 1.08 million new employees were in the same age bracket.
India's festive season to create 2 lakh jobs; tier II, III cities driving demand: NLB Services
India's festive season anticipates creating two lakh jobs across sectors. Hiring will increase by 20-25 percent compared to last year. Quick commerce and logistics will drive the surge. Gig roles will constitute 70 percent of new jobs. Tier II and III cities like Bhubaneswar and Surat will see increased hiring. Female workforce participation will also rise.
Festive job seekers want stability, employers offer temp roles
Festive hiring in India highlights a growing mismatch: two-thirds of job seekers seek full-time, stable roles, while over half of employers offer mostly temporary contracts. Workers prioritize pay stability and job security over bonuses, seeing seasonal jobs as career gateways. Employers, meanwhile, demand technical and managerial skills. Despite the gap, hiring is set to rise in retail, e-commerce, logistics, and hospitality.
Gig roles seen as career steps by workers, but employers stick to short-term hires: Report
As seasonal hiring peaks, an Indeed report reveals that two in three gig workers view festive jobs as pathways to full-time employment, prioritizing stability over short-term gains. While 69% seek financial security and 37% desire long-term benefits, over half of employers keep festive hires on temporary contracts.
